The Davidson County Election Commission is in the process of verifying signatures before approving the ballot. Candidates have one week to withdraw if they choose.

Johnson, who was in her second term in the council when she departed, was elected in November as the new register of deeds, replacing Bill Garrett, who retired after two decades in the seat.

The special election is to fill the remainder of Johnson's term until an election for a new four-year term is held in August.

Constance Smith-Burwell(Photo: Submitted)

Johnson has endorsed Porterfield, a 36-year-old special education coach at Metro Nashville Public Schools who oversees programming at six schools. Porterfield, a licensed minister, said she sits on the board of directors for Ignite Her Pursuit and Empowerment Inc. in Antioch as well as Destiny Theater Experience.

La Mattina, also 36, is the owner of Angelo's Picnic Pizza, a popular New York-style pizza joint in Antioch.

Tataryn, 63, is a nurse who works with geriatric patients. She also serves as president of the Edge-O-Lake Neighbors Association, where she said she's created a neighborhood crime watch, a codes notice program and negotiated for the first monopine cell tower in Davidson County.

Vicky Tataryn(Photo: Submitted)

Smith-Burwell, 63, serves on the board of the Tennessee State Employees Association, executive board of the Davidson County Democratic Women, and was formerly at the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Vivian Wilhoite, Davidson County property assessor, who represented the council's District 29 before Johnson, has not endorsed one candidate in the race but said she sees "great potential" in Smith-Burwell and Tataryn.

Early voting in the special election begins Jan. 23.

Reach Joey Garrison at jgarrison@tennessean.com or 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.